Oryx – Lamenting a Dead World (Review)

Oryx - Lamenting a Dead WorldOryx are a sludge metal band from the US and this is their third album.

Oryx combine waves of crushing doom with pulverising sludge groove. As a simple description of what you’ll encounter on this album, it serves, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. The band’s apocalyptic heaviness also contains moments of dark Continue reading “Oryx – Lamenting a Dead World (Review)”

Conclave – Dawn of Days (Review)

Conclave - Dawn of DaysThis is the second album from US sludge metallers Conclave.

Now here’s an unexpected treat for yours truly.

I’ve had no prior experience with Conclave, and was initially drawn to Dawn of Days purely because of its artwork. Imagine my surprise when, on closer inspection, it was Continue reading “Conclave – Dawn of Days (Review)”

Miasma Theory – Miasma Theory (Review)

Miasma Theory - Miasma TheoryThis is the debut album from Miasma Theory, an international heavy metal band.

Miasma Theory contains four original compositions and a Candlemass cover, with a total duration of 34 minutes. Of the original songs, Miasma Theory, (a project headed up by a member of Northern Crown), focuses on delivering heavy metal that’s enriched by elements of doom metal. Continue reading “Miasma Theory – Miasma Theory (Review)”

Altarage – Succumb (Review)

Altarage - SuccumbAltarage are a Spanish blackened death metal band and this is their fourth album.

I’ve been enjoying Altarage’s output over the years – 2017’s Endinghent and 2019’s The Approaching Roar are both really solid albums – and Succumb continues the upward trend that the band are clearly on. Succumb contains 63 minutes of foul blackened death metal, and it’s their Continue reading “Altarage – Succumb (Review)”

Neptunian Maximalism – Solar Drone Ceremony (Review)

Neptunian Maximalism - Solar Drone CeremonyNeptunian Maximalism are a Belgian drone/doom band and this is their latest release.

Solar Drone Ceremony was recorded live over a year ago, and consists of a single 54-minute track. The piece is performed by nine people and features a range of different instruments and sounds. Apparently it’s a Continue reading “Neptunian Maximalism – Solar Drone Ceremony (Review)”

Aphonic Threnody – The All Consuming Void (Review)

Aphonic Threnody - The All Consuming VoidAphonic Threnody are an international funeral doom band and this is their fourth album.

It’s always a grim pleasure to hear new Aphonic Threnody material. If you’re unfamiliar with the band, also check out 2017’s Of Loss and Grief, and 2020’s The Great Hatred, both of which are well worth your time. Continue reading “Aphonic Threnody – The All Consuming Void (Review)”

Body Void – Bury Me Beneath This Rotting Earth (Review)

Body Void - Bury Me Beneath This Rotting EarthThis is the third album from Body Void, a doom band from the US.

If you haven’t heard Body Void before, then you absolutely need to check out 2018’s I Live Inside a Burning House, 2019’s You Will Know the Fear You Forced upon Us, and their 2020 split with Keeper. It’s now 2021, and time for the colossal Bury Me Beneath This Rotting Earth to be unleashed. Continue reading “Body Void – Bury Me Beneath This Rotting Earth (Review)”

Corr Mhóna – Abhainn (Review)

Corr Mhóna - AbhainnThis is the second album from Irish black metal band Corr Mhóna.

Abhainn is a 56-minute progressive black metal album that also contains a healthy amount of doom and folk influences. It’s ambitious and bold, but also very striking and well-realised. The band have clearly put a lot into this work, and it shows; Abhainn is Continue reading “Corr Mhóna – Abhainn (Review)”

Utburd – Story of Frozen Souls (Review)

Utburd - Story of Frozen SoulsThis is the third album from Russian one-man black metal band Utburd.

Story of Frozen Souls is the 58-minute follow up to 2018’s The Horrors Untold.

Utburd’s music is a mix of the atmospheric Continue reading “Utburd – Story of Frozen Souls (Review)”